This morning I had the opportunity for a rare glimpse into Dylan's 1st Grade classroom. Its American Education Week, and parents were invited to spend an hour in the class helping to run stations and then join their child in the cafeteria for lunch.
So interesting to see how their day runs and what they kids are expected to do. So many observations and a few surprises too.
First, wow are the kids expected to do a lot in a very short amount of time! Even with me helping Dylan cut out his turkey legs and pilgrims, we barely got his Thanksgiving placemat done before the bell rang and we have to move onto the next station. The next station was Jenga Math - what a great idea! I think I'll be writing his math facts up to 18 on our Jenga game pieces at home and letting him build a tower.
Second, I need to set up a desk for Dylan at home and teach him how to keep things organized because WOW, everything is just crammed inside his desk and good Lord how does he ever find anything?
Also, lots of the little boys were pretty loud and jumping all over the place and Dylan wasn't one of them. However, these same boys seemed to get their projects done much faster than Dylan, who takes his time and probably isn't assertive enough when it comes to asking for his turn. We're working with Dylan on focus and his ability to get his work done faster. This is an area that's been a struggle for a while now, and we're trying some things in the classroom and at home (visual timers, etc.) to motivate him to move along a little quicker. But to watch him among his peers and notice how courteous, patient and what a good listener he is warmed my heart.
And then there was lunch. Wow. The only word to describe it is chaos. In kindergarten last year, the kids only attended half day and ate a small snack with the teachers always nearby to assist them. What a big difference it is when they switch to first grade. The kids are lead from the classroom to the bathroom, where they are to wash hands en masse and then get back in line to go into the cafeteria. They then get in another line to buy their lunch, or they sit down to eat the lunch brought from home. Dylan and I got in line to buy lunch, and the choices were turkey, tacos, pizza, yogurt, bagels plus an assortment of sides - beans, apples, fruit cocktail, taco toppings. The line moves pretty fast so they have to make their choice quickly, punch in their student ID number so their lunch account is debited, carry their tray to the other side of the cafeteria to get napkins, fork, spoon and straw, and then find a seat. All of this is done without any teacher assistance. So its goes from almost complete hand holding in kindergarten, to full-on freedom in first grade. And they don't have very long to eat either. Lots has to happen in that 25 minutes. I think it usually goes pretty well and the kids are used to it by now, but it was so very interesting to watch all the action first-hand.
I'm sure things were extra crazy there today having all the parents there, but it was just nutty. And to make matters worse, the little boy on the other side of me was crying his eyes out because his mom didn't show up. And the little girl across from us came back from the bathroom soaking wet after a toilet accident, and was inconsolable too. Poor things. A few of us moms tried to include them and make them feel better, but I wondered what would have happened if we weren't there? There just wasn't much teacher supervision. I think the kids are supposed to raise their hands if they need help and an adult helper will come over to them. But the poor little wet girl had her hand raised forever and no one saw her until I realized she had her head down and was crying.
Dylan ate his whole lunch and part of mine, and made jokes with his friend sitting next to us. He had several boys ask him to sit next to them at lunch, and I hope its always that way.
So just a glimpse into his everyday school world. I remember when Dylan was a baby, thinking how strange it would be for him to one day have his own world that I wasn't a part of....his own friends....his own responsibilities...managing his own time and making choices.
And I know this is just the beginning of watching him explore and flourish, but I was very proud of what I saw today.
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